Steam appliance with motion switch

Abstract

A steam appliance having a water pump controlled by a motion switch response to movement of the appliance is provided. In one embodiment, a micro-switch is turned ON and OFF by movement of a micro-switch actuator in operative engagement with the towel frame at the base if the appliance. In another embodiment, the actuator is operatively connected to a mechanical pump to activate the pump. The motor switch or actuator will be displaced whenever the unit is moved by a user, thus causing the pump to pump water to the boiler. Steam is then fed to a steam pad that may have a replaceable fabric pad fit snugly on the frame to distribute clean steam to a surface to be steamed.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A steam appliance, comprising:
 an appliance housing, a water reservoir, a motion switch, a steam generator and a pump to pump water from the reservoir to the steam generator in the housing; the steam generator having a steam outlet; and 
 a motion switch operatively connected to the pump; and 
 a timer circuit electronically coupled to the motion switch and to the pump to pump water when the appliance is moved, and to continue pumping water for a preset time after movement of the appliance ceases. 
 
     
     
       2. The steam appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the motion switch includes a motion sensor. 
     
     
       3. The steam appliance of  claim 2 , wherein the motion sensor includes a conductive pattern and a conductive member that is displaceable across the pattern in response to movement of the appliance to reset the timer circuit. 
     
     
       4. The steam appliance of  claim 3 , wherein the conductive member is a metal ball. 
     
     
       5. The steam appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the appliance is a steam mop further comprising a steam mop head. 
     
     
       6. The steam appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the appliance is a steam brush further comprising a steam frame. 
     
     
       7. The steam appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the appliance is a steam iron further comprising a heated sole plate. 
     
     
       8. The steam appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the appliance includes an auxiliary switch to actuate the pump selectively by a user.